Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-P3
80 Imaging
61 Features
88 Overall
71


86 Imaging
48 Features
60 Overall
52
Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-P3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
- Launched October 2019
- Succeeded the Olympus E-M5 II
- Successor is OM System OM-5
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
- Introduced August 2011
- Older Model is Olympus E-P2
- Updated by Olympus E-P5

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-P3 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-M5 III versus Olympus E-P3, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are manufactured by Olympus. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and E-P3 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

The E-M5 III was released 8 years later than the E-P3 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-M5 III grades against the E-P3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-P3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M5 III and Olympus PEN E-P3. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-M5 III Gallery and Olympus E-P3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Olympus E-P3
E-M5 III | E-P3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2019 | ![]() | August 2011 | Fresher by 100 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 614k | Sharper screen (+426k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-M5 III
E-P3 | E-M5 III |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-P3
E-M5 III | E-P3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M5 III features outside measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") having a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Olympus E-P3 has measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-M5 III versus Olympus E-P3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-M5 III versus the E-P3.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 III and E-P3 is 80 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The visual below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 III and E-P3.
As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Olympus E-M5 III to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent E-M5 III will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Olympus PEN E-P3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Olympus PEN E-P3 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2019-10-17 | 2011-08-17 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VIII | TruePic VI |
Sensor type | MOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.4 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 226.2mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4032 x 3024 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 64 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 121 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 107 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,040k dot | 614k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | - | 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Max silent shutter speed | 1/32000s | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 30.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) |
Flash modes | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/250s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 414 grams (0.91 lbs) | 369 grams (0.81 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") | 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 51 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.1 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 536 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 photos | 330 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $1,199 | $0 |